EC expert: Authorities should take a step back in relation to the UOC
Expert of the European Commission "For Democracy through Law" Maryna Stavniychuk. Photo: advocatpost.com
The expert of the European Commission "For Democracy through Law" Maryna Stavniychuk said that the Ukrainian authorities should take a step back in terms of persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. She said this in an interview with Uvaha: Kiriya.
Asked whether the state should interfere in the affairs of the Church, Stavniychuk stressed that the UOC does a lot for Ukrainian soldiers on the front line, so the authorities need to be extremely tolerant in relations with the Church.
“What is happening today with the Churches in Ukraine should be a serious lesson for everyone. It seems to me that the authorities should take a step back, but the UOC, which is subject to serious persecutions today, should draw very serious conclusions for itself, notably the leaders of this Church. Conclusions need to be drawn in order to understand that power is one situation, while the Church must always be with the people,” she said.
As the UOJ reported, Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany said that the ban on the UOC is comparable to the persecution of early Christians.
Read also
President’s Office pledges “not to close a single church”
Olena Kovalska compared the authorities’ approach to the UOC with requirements imposed on businesses.
Congresswoman: What is occuring in Ukraine is clear persecution of Christians
Anna Paulina Luna warned that if persecution of Christians in other countries is ignored today, tomorrow repression against believers could begin in the United States.
UOC Chancellor: Today’s church raids are a carbon copy of 90s raider schemes
Metropolitan Anthony noted that such seizures are often accompanied by violence, beatings of clergy and parishioners, and bloodshed.
Budanov lights first candle of Jewish Hanukkah
The head of the Defence Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate took part in a Jewish religious ceremony.
ROCOR hierarch speaks about persecution of UOC at rally near Congress
Bishop Theodosy called on American lawmakers to pay attention to violations of religious freedom in Ukraine.
Volyn RC deputy demand inspection of UOC churches at state institutions
Andrii Bokoch is calling for an inspection of the affiliation of all churches and chapels in Volyn located on the premises of state and medical institutions.